In Governor Races, All Four Letters in LGBT Won Primaries

This year's primaries brought a slew of firsts in several categories, including the first Somali-American major party nominee, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and the first Black woman poised to represent Connecticut, Jahana Hayes. We also saw a series of LGBTQ+ gubernatorial victories that drew a keen observation from the Chief Political & White House reporter for the Washington Blade.

Yes, the letters L, G, B, and T have all brought home gubernatorial primary wins, thus fulfilling the prophecy at long last and assuring the defeat of the cishets once and for all. Once our infiltration of the government is complete, we will be able to build our queer utopia.

But in actual news, the four champions are Lupe Valdez, a lesbian candidate in Texas; Jared Polis, a gay candidate in Colorado; Kate Brown, a bisexual incumbent in Oregon; and Christine Hallquist, a trans candidate in Vermont who could make U.S. history in November by becoming the country’s first transgender governor.

These potential governors represent a rainbow wave, an onslaught of electoral victories for LGBTQ+ people that advocates have their fingers crossed for come November. These advocates do have some promising evidence to point to, as last year saw growing enthusiasm for LGBTQ+ Democratic candidates.

In November 2017, Danica Roem, a trans woman, was elected to the house of delegates in Virginia. Andrea Jenkins won a seat in the Minneapolis City Council, becoming the first Black trans woman to do so. Jenny Durkan became Seattle’s first lesbian mayor, and that’s only naming a few.

On the flip side, last night’s primary results also showed that Trump’s influence in national elections might not be waning after all, and never-Trumpers failed to eke out many wins. Chris Kobach, Secretary of State in Kansas and ardent Trump supporter, was declared the winner over incumbent Jeff Colyer.

Kobach’s vehement anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is a reminder of what’s at stake in November, and why the rainbow wave is so desperately needed. When we have representation in government, we have the opportunity to help shape policy in a system from which we have been historically excluded. As LGBTQ+ people continue to be targeted, this becomes all the more important.

Editor’s Note: This piece incorrectly stated that all primaries were won last night. The article has been changed to reflect the fact that many of the primaries were won earlier this year.

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